Today I had surgery to repair my abdominal wall through a procedure called an abdominoplasty (aka “tummy tuck”). Right now I am about 8 hours, post-op and I am really feeling the soreness. But, it is not terrible, ok, it’s pretty sore.
I am contenting my recovery process as a series of inputs:
Nutrition: Collagen, probiotics, antioxidants, protein, and fiber. I also take digestive enzymes and proactively take a bowel mover and binder to help make sure the pain medication is not causing me any constipation which will inhibit healing. Here is my beautiful self detailing the long-winded version of my nutrient intake.
2. Breath: Here is another major input that can affect the coordination of the core and the deep stabilization system breath. It also acts as a pump for the damaged tissues which I will show you in just a moment. I am using a breathing fitness trainer to help add a bit of resistance to my breath.
I perform the breath every waking hour for 5-8 repetitions with a slow 5-6 second inhale and exhale from these positions:
semi reclined
seated
standing
head turned right, left, or looking up and down
slightly staggered foot position with the above head drivers
All add a different input along with the breath!
Although I am wearing a binder and a bit uncomfortable here, you can definitely see my rib cage shifted left and my pelvis is rotated to the right. I had strong confidence this would be the case even with my preparatory work as this is a long seated pattern in me. This makes an Applied Functional Science approach to training even more important! Many variables and inputs will strategically be implemented to subconsciously reintegrate my new shell once again!
Stay tuned!!
Warning!! The photos below are a bit graphic. I think it is amazing and awesome, but if you do not want to see what I look like on the inside stop here!!
The purpose of showing these videos is to demonstrate the enormity of trauma to the whole movement system. I knew going into this procedure that it was not going to be a simple fix. The process to return to optimal function will be a long road and one that requires strategic implementation of everything from nutrition strategies to movement.
Preparing the tissue for the incision:
Reducing tension on the closure:
Trimming the excess skin
Marking the rectus fascia
Stitching the rectus fascia with breath–this is so cool that I did not have to be intubated and breathed on my own throughout the whole procedure. The surgeon stitched the when I exhaled.